As the first U.S. President to have a personal connection to the region, I reaffirmed to my ASEAN friends that the United States is committed to strengthening its engagement in Southeast Asia both with our individual allies and partners, and with ASEAN as an institution.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Speak After ASEAN-10 Meeting | The White House

The importance of Iraq to US foreign policy in the region was underscored in 1988 in connection with this.

NPR: U.S. Links to Saddam During Iran-Iraq War

Tsuur music has an inseparable connection to the Uriankhai Mongolians of the Altai Region, and remains an integral part of their daily life.

UNESCO: Culture

As in previous generations, many young Americans feel a connection to Israel that colors their views of the region.

FORBES: Three Millennials And The Arab Spring

The city wants to capitalize on its connection to higher education institutions such as Binghamton University, the region's largest employer, to fuel new job and population gains.

WSJ: Dreams of Binghamton